diff --git a/codeflash/api/cfapi.py b/codeflash/api/cfapi.py
index a27e85bff..f51d57ac0 100644
--- a/codeflash/api/cfapi.py
+++ b/codeflash/api/cfapi.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+"""Module for interacting with the Codeflash API."""
+
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import json
@@ -13,6 +15,7 @@
 from pydantic.json import pydantic_encoder
 
 from codeflash.cli_cmds.console import console, logger
+from codeflash.code_utils.code_utils import exit_with_message
 from codeflash.code_utils.env_utils import ensure_codeflash_api_key, get_codeflash_api_key, get_pr_number
 from codeflash.code_utils.git_utils import get_current_branch, get_repo_owner_and_name
 from codeflash.github.PrComment import FileDiffContent, PrComment
@@ -89,13 +92,18 @@ def make_cfapi_request(
 def get_user_id(api_key: Optional[str] = None) -> Optional[str]:
     """Retrieve the user's userid by making a request to the /cfapi/cli-get-user endpoint.
 
+    :param api_key: The API key to use. If None, uses get_codeflash_api_key().
     :return: The userid or None if the request fails.
     """
     if not api_key and not ensure_codeflash_api_key():
         return None
 
     response = make_cfapi_request(
-        endpoint="/cli-get-user", method="GET", extra_headers={"cli_version": __version__}, api_key=api_key
+        endpoint="/cli-get-user",
+        method="GET",
+        extra_headers={"cli_version": __version__},
+        api_key=api_key,
+        suppress_errors=True,
     )
     if response.status_code == 200:
         if "min_version" not in response.text:
@@ -116,6 +124,20 @@ def get_user_id(api_key: Optional[str] = None) -> Optional[str]:
         logger.error("Failed to retrieve userid from the response.")
         return None
 
+    # Handle 403 (Invalid API key) - exit with error message
+    if response.status_code == 403:
+        msg = (
+            "Invalid Codeflash API key. The API key you provided is not valid.\n"
+            "Please generate a new one at https://app.codeflash.ai/app/apikeys ,\n"
+            "then set it as a CODEFLASH_API_KEY environment variable.\n"
+            "For more information, refer to the documentation at \n"
+            "https://docs.codeflash.ai/optimizing-with-codeflash/codeflash-github-actions#manual-setup\n"
+            "or\n"
+            "https://docs.codeflash.ai/optimizing-with-codeflash/codeflash-github-actions#automated-setup-recommended"
+        )
+        exit_with_message(msg, error_on_exit=True)
+
+    # For other errors, log and return None (backward compatibility)
     logger.error(f"Failed to look up your userid; is your CF API key valid? ({response.reason})")
     return None
 
diff --git a/codeflash/code_utils/github_utils.py b/codeflash/code_utils/github_utils.py
index 0be50dda4..c29dd5cca 100644
--- a/codeflash/code_utils/github_utils.py
+++ b/codeflash/code_utils/github_utils.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 from codeflash.api.cfapi import is_github_app_installed_on_repo
 from codeflash.cli_cmds.cli_common import apologize_and_exit
-from codeflash.cli_cmds.console import logger
+from codeflash.cli_cmds.console import paneled_text
 from codeflash.code_utils.compat import LF
 from codeflash.code_utils.git_utils import get_repo_owner_and_name
 
@@ -18,15 +18,20 @@ def get_github_secrets_page_url(repo: Optional[Repo] = None) -> str:
 
 
 def require_github_app_or_exit(owner: str, repo: str) -> None:
-    if not is_github_app_installed_on_repo(owner, repo):
-        logger.error(
-            f"It looks like the Codeflash GitHub App is not installed on the repository {owner}/{repo} or the GitHub"
-            f" account linked to your CODEFLASH_API_KEY does not have access to the repository {owner}/{repo}.{LF}"
-            "Before continuing, please install the Codeflash GitHub App on your repository by visiting "
-            f"https://github.com/apps/codeflash-ai/installations/select_target{LF}"
+    # Suppress low-level HTTP error logging to avoid duplicate logs; we present a friendly panel instead
+    if not is_github_app_installed_on_repo(owner, repo, suppress_errors=True):
+        # Show a clear, user-friendly panel instead of raw error logs
+        message = (
+            f"It looks like the Codeflash GitHub App is not installed on the repository {owner}/{repo} "
+            f"or the GitHub account linked to your CODEFLASH_API_KEY does not have access to the repository {owner}/{repo}.{LF}{LF}"
+            "To continue, install the Codeflash GitHub App on your repository:"
+            f"{LF}https://github.com/apps/codeflash-ai/installations/select_target{LF}{LF}"
+            "Tip: If you want to find optimizations without opening PRs, run Codeflash with the --no-pr flag."
         )
-        logger.error(
-            f"Note: if you want to find optimizations without opening PRs, you can run Codeflash with the --no-pr flag.{LF}"
+        paneled_text(
+            message,
+            panel_args={"title": "GitHub App Required", "border_style": "red", "expand": False},
+            text_args={"style": "bold red"},
         )
         apologize_and_exit()